Groundstrokes

Groundstrokes

Grounds strokes are strokes in Tennis that are hit from areas around the baseline, or the base of the court. There are 5 steps for both the forehand and backhand side. Although they look different, they are exactly the same in concept. 

The 5 steps are:

(1) The turn

(2) The slot

(3) The touch point

(4) Extension

(5) The finish

I will be covering each of these steps in moderate detail so that each person can practice and implement or place them into their game.

The "Turn"

The first and most important part of every stroke is called the "turn", or the "first move". I will elaborate for the groundstrokes, which are used within range of the baseline. Everyone's turn is different. This is inevitable, but what should be focused on with the turn is that it must be the same. Executing the same turn allows the player to feel the same as the player runs the ball down and it allows the player to prepare to accelerate the racquet.

Below is a  picture of professional "turn". I will discuss why they turn in this manner once I find a decent picture and figure out how to upload it.

Same Closed Angle

Most people have trouble hitting the ball in a controlled but also an aggressive manner. What the missing component is "finding the same closed angle throughout the upstroke". This "same" closed angle is found through acceleration. Because, if the player accelerates every time from a low point to a high point through contact and the racquet is too open or too closed, the ball will not move in the air as they would like it to. Therefore, through acceleration, one can find the same closed angle and find confidence in accelerating. Lastly, and most importantly, this gives the player the potential to become better and have more fun!

The slot

The slot is defined as how the racquet drops below the ball when beginning the swing. When dropping the racquet below the ball, it is helpful to think of dropping the hand below the ball in order to make sure that the racquet head is below the ball enough.

Below is a perfect demonstration from Federer of how to drop the racquet below the ball. It is below enough so that it allows for the player to accelerate the racquet up, in order to create spin (higher height over the net) or drive (lower height over the net) and to stay away from the net.

The touch point

The touch point is a very important part of the groundstroke. It should be away from your body or (off to either side), but also in front of the body so that the player may be able to move forward through contact in order to hit a solid shot.

Below is a picture of Federer's touch point.

Notice how far in front of his body the touch point is...

Notice how far away from his body the touch point is...

In both pictures, his touch point is very close to the same place; he has the same balance, the same orientation of his head... many parts are the same when comparing both pictures. The SOLE reason for this is because his foot work allows him to have the same touch point and feel the same way when striking the ball. Wouldn't it feel great to feel the same comfort and confidence when hitting your forehand? (same concept as backhand).

Therefore, when on the court, think about being light on your feet and take small steps when you begin to get closer to the ball. This will allow you to have a consistently better touch point, better balance and confidence to strike the ball.

Extension

Extension is a very important part of the groundstroke. It can tell the player and coach a lot of information with regard to what the player is doing right and wrong. A lovely example is displayed below of Roger Federer.

Notice how his arm and racquet is completely extended, but is still and the right half of his body. This tells us that he is hitting through the ball most efficiently in order to get an enormous amount of pace with less energy exerted. Also, this tells us that he is very relaxed. In other words, because he is relaxed, the racquet is pulling his arm toward his target. If he was not relaxed, his hand and racquet would stay inside his body. He would lose a lot of pace and exert a lot of excess energy.

We all know how efficient Roger's game is... how beautiful!